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Coming Up in EC&M
USPS Investigation
Allegations of serious safety violations at the U.S.
Postal Service (USPS) Network Distribution Center in Kansas City, Kan.,
have prompted a review of electrical violations at postal facilities
nationwide. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited
the bulk mail facility for seven repeat and 21 serious violations of
federal workplace safety laws. In addition to proposing a $191,000
penalty for the Kansas City, Kan., facility, the U.S. Department of
Labor filed a complaint asking the independent Occupational Safety and
Health Review Commission to order the Postal Service to correct
electrical violations at all of its facilities nationwide. An article
in the November issue of EC&M will chronicle this investigation.
If you have any information regarding the alleged violations and the
OSHA investigation and would like to share it for possible inclusion in
the article, contact Staff Writer Beck Ireland by phone at (913)
967-1806 or e-mail at beck.ireland@penton.com.
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Around the Circuit
Construction Industry
Unemployment at Highest September Rate Ever Recorded
The number of people working in construction is
approaching a 14-year low now that the industry lost 21,000 jobs in
September, while construction unemployment is at a September high of
17.2% percent, according to an analysis of federal employment figures
released today by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).
The construction industry continues to suffer from declining investments
in construction and broad uncertainty about the future of many federal
infrastructure programs and tax rates, association officials note. To
read more on this story, visit EC&M's website.
Modest
Improvement in Architecture Billings Index
Still not entering into the positive phase, the
Architecture Billings Index (ABI) increased for the third straight month
in August. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the
ABI reflects the approximate nine- to twelve-month lag time between
architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute
of Architects (AIA), Washington, D.C., reported the August ABI score was
48.2, up slightly from a reading of 47.9 the previous month. This score
reflects a continued decline in demand for design services (any score
above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry
index was also up, moving from 53.1 to 54.6.To read more on this
story, visit EC&M's website.
Federal Report
Shows Neglect of Infrastructure Is Hurting Construction Firms and
Costing Jobs, Construction Official Says
A new federal report detailing underinvestment in
transportation is a sobering reminder of the tremendous economic costs
of years of underinvestment in the nation's transportation
infrastructure, according to the Associated General Contractors of
America (AGC). As the report makes clear, says AGC, our collective
failure to repair aging roads and bridges, expand transportation
capacity or address chronic traffic congestion is costing businesses
billions in lost productivity and workers tens of thousands of
jobs..To read more on this story, visit EC&M's website.
NEMA Publishes
Standard for Electricity Meters
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
has published ANSI C12.20-2010, "American National Standard for
Electricity Meters—0.2 and 0.5 Accuracy Classes." The standard, last
published in 2002, was produced by the ANSI C12 Accredited Standards
Committee for Electricity Metering, Subcommittee 16.To read more on
this story, visit EC&M's website.
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Project Watch
Electrical
Contract in Arkansas
Nabholz Construction Services, Conway, Ark., is
accepting bids on the electrical contract for the West Side
Baseball/Softball Facility. Bids are due by 2 p.m. CST on October 21.
Send all bids to David Williams at Nabholz Construction Services by fax
at (501) 327-8231 or hand deliver to 612 Garland St., Conway, AR
72032.
Electrical
Contract in Missouri
A.L. Huber, Kansas City, Mo., is bidding on the 807
Wyandotte Renovation Project and is seeking bids from qualified MBE or
SBE electrical subcontractors. Bids are to be received no later than
1:30 p.m. CST on October 21. Interested parties can call (913) 341-4880
or fax (913) 341-1940.
Web Exclusives
Business Brief
Delmar, part of Cengage Learning and a leading provider
of learning solutions for ongoing career development and education,
recently announced a new distribution agreement with Grainger, North
America’s leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair and
operating (MRO) products. Building trades professionals will now be able
to purchase Delmar training products and reference materials through
Grainger.For more Business Briefs, visit the EC&M website.
Majority of
Building and Lighting Professional are Focused on Energy
Efficiency
An inaugural survey conducted by Osram Sylvania reveals
the priorities and experiences of more than 350 facilities decision
makers and lighting designers across the education, healthcare,
hospitality, office, and retail sectors. The survey illuminates the
current and emerging needs of building professionals and defines how
highly efficient LEDs are shaping the future of commercial spaces. To
read more about the study's findings, visit the EC&M website.
64% of U.S.
Electric Vehicle Charge Points to be Residential Units
The adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) over the next
several years will be accompanied by a significant build-out of EV
charging infrastructure, including public, private, workplace, and
residential charging equipment. A recent report from Pike Research,
titled “Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment,” forecasts a total of
4.7 million charge points to be installed globally from 2010 to 2015;
however, the clean-tech market intelligence firm expects the mix of
charging station types will vary significantly by region.To read more
about EV charge points, visit the EC&M website.
Eye on Safety
OSHA Cites
Spartech for Violations at Illinois Facility
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) has filed a list of citations against
Spartech Plastics LLC, Evanston, Ill. OSHA cited the company with 16
serious safety violations, including exposing employees to electrical
shock hazards. Proposed penalties total $54,500. The citations were
publicized Sept. 21. The company had 15 days from receipt of citations
to take action.As a result of an inspection that began in March, OSHA
issued the citations to Spartech for failing to provide proper training
on lockout/tagout of energy sources, failing to conduct required
inspections of forklifts, failing to provide required guardrails on work
platforms and stairwells and failing to implement lockout/tagout
procedures for electrical equipment. The company also received one
non-serious violation for failing to have covers on electrical equipment
openings.
Call for Papers
Pulp & Paper
Industry Committee 2011 Technical Conference
The Pulp and Paper Technical Operations Committee
(PPIC), a technical committee of the Industry Applications Society (IAS)
of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), is
seeking formal technical papers, panel groups, and tutorials to be
presented at the Annual Pulp and Paper Industry Conference to be held
from June 19-23 in Nashville, Tenn. Technical papers are requested on
practical topics related to the application of electrical technology and
equipment used in the pulp and paper industry, such as process control,
engineering, and maintenance. Authors must submit abstract or draft to
the program chair by October 25. Further information about the
committee, as well as a detailed authors guide, is available at www.pulpandpapercommittee.com.
Shows & Events
WE10
The Society of Women Engineers Annual Conference will
take place from November 4-6 in Orlando, Fla. Topics for sessions at
this year's event include relaunching your career, communication,
management strategies, and negotiating. For more information and to
register, visit the WE10 website.
Code Change
Conferences Are Coming
The 2011 NEC is coming. Will you be ready for the
changes? By attending one of EC&M's Code Change Conferences,
presented by NEC expert Mike Holt and sponsored by EC&M University, you'll
learn everything you need to know about major NEC changes that will
impact your work, whether you're an electrician, electrical engineer,
electrical designer, plant/facility electrical maintenance person, or
electrical inspector. Check out the following conferences for a location
and time that's right for you.
- St. Louis October 18-19, Sheraton Westport Hotel Lakeside
Chalet
- Chicago November 1-2, Hyatt Regency Rosemont
- Seattle November 8-9, Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference
Center
- Philadelphia November 29-30, Hilton Philadelphia City
Avenue
- Boston December 7-8, Venue to be determined
- Orlando December 13-14, Hyatt Regency Orlando
Airport
If you're a registered professional engineer and attend one of the
2011 NEC Code Change Conferences, you'll be granted professional
development hours (PDHs), a requirement for re-licensing. The program is
also certified as an approved provider of Code Update training by those
states requiring continuing education hours for re-licensing of
journeymen, master electricians, and electrical contractors.
Register now to
attend one of the these events. For more details on the conferences and
a full program, visit EC&M's website.
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